Ruhla - Chess set - Wood

GARDE Ruhla – Mechanical Analog Chess Clock – Made in GDR – Vintage 1970s/80s

COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE
East Germany (GDR) – “MADE IN GDR” stamped along the lower edge of both dials

PERIOD / ESTIMATED YEAR
Before 1990 – made before German reunification. The “Made in GDR” wording certifies its authentic origin in the German Democratic Republic.

TYPE OF ITEM
Mechanical analog double-dial chess clock, manually wound. No batteries required.

MATERIALS
Outer frame: polished dark wood (mahogany or walnut)
Front and back panels: natural light wood (cedar/beech)
Dial bezels: die-cast aluminum, silver finish
Buttons and mechanisms: chrome-plated metal
DIMENSIONS
Overall width: 22 cm
Height: 12.5 cm
Depth: 6 cm
Diameter of each dial: 75 mm
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Vintage mechanical chess clock made by GARDE in Ruhla, East Germany (GDR), before 1990. This is one of the most famous and sought-after chess clocks in the world: the GARDE Ruhla model was the official clock at numerous World Chess Championships, including the historic Fischer–Spassky match in Reykjavík in 1972 and the Kasparov–Short final in 1993, the last World Championship match timed with an analog clock.

Front:
Two circular dials with silver-finished aluminum bezels. White faces, black Arabic numerals, and black hour and minute hands. Each dial features the distinctive red, star-shaped “flag” hand to indicate the final 5 minutes of play; it is intact on both sides. Vertical red stem indicator positioned near 12. The cursive word “ruhla” appears at the center of each dial. “MADE IN GDR” is stamped along the inner lower edge of each dial. The “GARDE” logo is on a raised metal plaque positioned in the center of the panel between the two dials.
Top:
Two knurled, chrome-plated mushroom-shaped metal buttons, one for each clock, mounted on metal stems extending from the case. Both are present and intact.
Back:
Two circular die-cast aluminum covers, secured with screws. Each has a central winding crown, an adjustment lever, and a crescent-shaped time-setting aperture. All mechanical components are present and complete. Two decorative red screws at the upper corners of the backboard.

OPERATION
Spring-driven mechanism, manually wound using keys at the back. No batteries required. The two dials are mechanically linked so that only one runs at a time.

CONDITION
Very good for its age. The wood has a natural patina from age, with no cracks, chips, or visible restoration. Clean dials. Hands and flags intact on both sides. Winding and adjustment mechanisms present and complete.

HISTORICAL AND COLLECTOR’S SIGNIFICANCE
The GARDE Ruhla model is considered the most important analog chess clock ever made. The “MADE IN GDR” wording unequivocally identifies it as an original vintage example, distinct from later modern reproductions made in China. An item of interest to collectors of chess memorabilia, vintage clocks, and objects from East Germany.
Careful shipping.